The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-12-15
snyder's Long Walk Ended.

three years, died yesterday at his home
at Mill Grove.
Snyder's strange atfliction was without
precedent, so far as known, and all efforts
of scientific men to afford relief to
the suffering victim were unsuccessful.
Doctors say that it was an hallucination,
and not physical disease that troubled
him, but whatever its nature, its power.
full hold upon the man could not be
shaken. Only few days ago he told the
story Of the beginning and growth of his
aAliclion, as he staggered along in the
deeply worn path about his old.fashioned
log cabin.
He said that in the summer of 1854,
while at work in the harvest field, lie
was attacked with cramping sensation
in his arms. The pain was intense, and
after vainly endeavoriDg in various ways
to obtain relief he began to exercise his
arms, and found that the feeling disap-
paared. He resorted to more vigorous
exercise, and found in it absolute relief
from the pain, but when his exertions
ceased the sensation returned. He
would chop or saw wood for hours with
out intermission.
During this attack, which lasted at
first ouly few hours, the entire strength
of his body seemed to centre in the
muscles of his arms, and he would cut
a cord of wood out of the hardest timber
in two hours. When night came he
would continue his exercise with a
scrubbing brush at the house, until, as
he expressed it, he wore the pain out.
For three months he suffered in this
way, but at last the sensation disappeared,
and for few days he was we'll man
again. In a short time, however, the
feeling developed in his feet and legs.
Then he was seized with an uncontrol.
liable desire to walk, and, finding that
constant exercise was his only means of
relief he kept on in his trampipg, which,
in three years. time, heightened into
journey of 10000 miles. During the
first two years he walked about four
miles an hour, but recently he has tot
tered along at the rate of little more
than mile an hour. He greatly pre-
ferred the open air, and, except during
the most inclement weather, walked in a
path about his humble house that had
been worn down to depth of nearly
eight inches. In the house he walked
in a circle, and his course around the
stove in his cabin is visible by the furrow
he has worn in the floor.
During TIE three years of his tramp
be did not take meal with his family.
He ate from large pan strapped in
front of him. Upon this pan was also
placed his shaving cup and razor, and he
shaved himself while walking. He
would fall asleep while walking about IL
o'clock at night, and, upon being directed
to chair, would sleep in. an upright
position for three or four hours. He
frequently arose while still asleep, and,
leaning against one of his sons, who
attended him at all times, continued his
weary tramp. When changing his cloth.
ing he did not cease walking, but his
garments were placed within reach, and
he seized one after another as he passed
around.
The first summer after his walking
mania developed be attempted to turn it
to account by ploughing. He went to a
field where his son was engaged in break
ing the ground, and after following
behind in furrow for some time, asked
permission to hold the plough. The son
stepped aside. Ali went we'll for several
rods aud feeling of exultation was
coming over the great walker at the con-
temptation of the fact that he was at
least able to aid little in cultivating his
farm. Suddenly, however, the plough
became tasted in the roots of tough
hickory stump, and the horse stopped.
Snyder was unable to do likewise, and
dropping the lines, continued his tramp
across the field, while his son, who had
waited in expectation of some such oc'
currence, unfastened the plough and
resumed work.
Last winter Snyder was induced to go
on exhibition in museums in Chicago,
indianapolis, St. Louis and Cincinnati
for a period of about four months, for
which he was paid enough to comforta'
bly, support his family in their simple
way of living for FIVE or six years. In
making the trip from one city to another
he kept up his tramp back and forth in
baggage car during the journey.
"Can't you lie down to rest?' report
er asked him.
II have been able to lie down but once
in three years, and then only for an hour.
1t made me so tired and lame that I was
compelled to run. .afterward for five hours
to feel easy again"
"Did you call physician when your
aflliction first developed?"
eyes; one was sent for and came. He
tried to convince me that the trouble
was in my head and not in my feet and
legs at all. l told him did not need
his services, and he left. AT least fifty
doctors have visited me, and as many
more examined me. Every one of them
could tell exactly what allied me, and
every one differed. I have no confidence
in doctors"